Why Reno-Tahoe Shows Up for Nevada Wolf Pack Skiing
John Haines and Chris “Uncle E” Ernst (in photo below) were calling the names of some of today’s Wolf Pack skiers when they were still kids on local racecourses. On Friday, October 30th, the two were behind the microphones at the Reno Ballroom, helping raise money so those same athletes could keep racing in college.
Joining Uncle E and John Haines was auctioneer Dale Johannes, whose warmth and wit kept paddles rising for Wolf Pack Skiing. With more than 19 years in fundraising, 30 years in theatre, and experience leading the live auction at the USTA Foundation’s Opening Night Gala at the US Open, Dale knew how to turn enthusiasm into generosity. Together, these three pros made giving a pleasure, leaving organizers eager to welcome them back next year.
These connections ran through the fifth annual Ski Ball. Hosted by the Nevada Ski Team Boosters, Denim and Diamonds 2.0: Not Your Average Ski Ball brought supporters together for live country music from Jakota Wass and his trio, the largest silent auction in the event’s history, and a live auction featuring everything from heli-skiing in the Ruby Mountains to a private yacht vacation in the British Virgin Islands.
All proceeds went to Nevada Ski Team Boosters in full support of Wolf Pack Skiing's immediate needs as well as ongoing future sustainability of the team. As head coach Cameron Smith, "Coach Cam" said before the event, “Every year, this event helps give our athletes the resources they need to compete at the highest level, and we’re grateful to everyone who makes it possible.”
Russell Poulsen on the Team His Father Started
Nevada’s ski program dates to 1936. It produced Olympians and national champions before being cut in 2010. Its return to varsity competition in the 2022–23 season gave young racers in Reno-Tahoe a chance to ski for their university again.
For Russell Poulsen, (pictured above), that history is family history. His father, Wayne Poulsen, started the team and Russell sees a role for the community in keeping it going.
“My father started the UNR ski team in 1936 and they were the 1938 intercollegiate champions. This, at a time when most of America had never even heard of Reno NV. Like everything in my father’s life the team was a product of his passion for the sport. The team faded for a time, but it's now back in the limelight. If we want to continue this beautiful tradition we need to support the team.” ~ Russell Poulsen
From Local Racecourses to the Wolf Pack
Zach Fretz (in photo above, in middle) knows what that opportunity means. A former Wolf Pack alpine racer and now president of the Nevada Ski Team Boosters, he joined Uncle E on KOLO’s Morning Break in October to talk about what it takes to sustain the program.
Some of the needs are easy to picture. Athletes need equipment, meals on the road, and a way to get to training and races. Resort partnerships help, and Ski Ball proceeds help cover the costs of getting the team to the mountain and to collegiate races around the country.
Fretz, (pictured above and below), noted that roughly half a dozen current team members grew up in Tahoe. For kids racing here now, there’s something powerful about seeing athletes who grew up on the same mountains to go on to compete for Nevada while earning a college degree.
“There’s incredible energy around this program right now, and it’s coming from both the University and the entire Reno-Tahoe ski community. The impact goes well beyond NCAA Division I competition. Thousands of young ski racers in our region get to see these athletes training, competing, and representing their community at the highest level. Cam and his team are chasing national success and putting The University of Nevada in the national spotlight, but they’re also inspiring the next generation of ski racers right here at home.” ~ Zach Fretz
Coach Cam on Building a Team
Coach Cam and his family (pictured above) also joined in the evening’s fun. His wife, Mikaela Tommy, worked tirelessly behind the scenes to help bring the Ski Ball to life. A Canadian World Championships team member and devoted mom, Mikaela brought her own remarkable energy and commitment to a night celebrating the sport and community they love.
Ask Coach Cam what excites him most about the team, and he talks about how the athletes show up for one another.
“I’ve been fortunate to see our program be more competitive over the last three years. What excites me most is the culture we've built. Our athletes push each other every day, and they genuinely care about the success of their teammates. That combination of high performance and strong character defines Nevada Skiing. As we look to the future, we're focused on continuing to recruit talented student-athletes, providing them with the resources to reach their full potential, and positioning Nevada to compete for championships on a consistent basis.” ~ Coach Cam
Tamara McKinney Comes Full Circle
Among those at the Reno Ballroom was Tamara McKinney, an active board member of the Nevada Ski Team Boosters and Team Palisades Tahoe alumna whose skiing took her from Olympic Valley to the world stage. A three-time Olympian, she became the first American woman to win the overall World Cup title in 1983. She earned 18 World Cup victories, 45 podium finishes, and four World Championship medals, including gold in the combined at Vail in 1989.
“The University of Nevada Ski Team is our home team for the Reno–Tahoe ski community. Since regaining NCAA status a few years ago, head coach, Coach Cam and assistant coach Nico Monforte have built a phenomenal team with an exciting team spirit.
"Nevada skiing is steeped in legacy, with roots dating back to Wayne Poulsen’s leadership when the team won its national championship title.
“It’s an honor to serve on the University of Nevada Ski Team Boosters board, raising money and awareness for this exciting, up-and-coming program.” ~ Tamara McKinney
Many of us in Olympic Valley still think of Tamara as one of our own. It meant something to see her in the room, lending her support to young racers whose own stories are taking shape on these mountains.
Chris “Uncle E” Ernst and John Haines Behind the Mic
Uncle E, a ski commentator and Nevada Skiing’s self-described “Chief Fun Officer,” has watched some of these athletes grow up one race at a time. At the Ski Ball, he looked around the room and saw generations of skiers who understood the work ahead of them.
“The beauty of the SKI BALL is the continued camaraderie of the passionate ski community. When you look around the room and see the level of talent, both past and present, it is truly awe inspiring. From World Cup Overall Champion (Tamara) and Fastest Man on Skis (Franz) to Kitzbuhel Champion (D$) and Freestyle Legend (Wong), these young collegiate athletes have such a fortunate opportunity to be involved with a program that has history, strength, integrity and true grit. It's up to them to help create their path through discipline, focus and hard work, while this supportive community comes out in numbers to help with the financial side of things. It takes a village. It's always an honor to be on stage and help bring the evening to life with energetic fortitude.” ~ Uncle E
Alongside Uncle E was John Haines, known in Olympic Valley as “The Voice of Palisades.” With more than 25 years behind the microphone, he’s announced local races and served as emcee for the Stifel Palisades Tahoe Cup. As a Nevada alum, he has another reason to care about keeping collegiate ski racing close to home.
“It's really important for our local skiers to get a college education close to home. As a Nevada alum, I see skiing as something that brings prestige and notoriety to the university. The ski team has a robust history, and it continues to thrive as a vital part of the Nevada sports program as a whole.” ~ John Haines
Allen Riley on a Ski Community That Shows Up
Allen Riley and his wife, July, were among those in attendance as well. Riley spent three decades with the Olympic Valley Fire Department, starting as a volunteer firefighter and rising through the ranks to become chief. At the Ski Ball, what stood out to him was how many familiar faces he saw in the room.
“It’s just great to see so many familiar faces from our ski community showing up to support the future of the UNR Ski Team and ensure another successful season,” Riley said.
Help Keep That Opportunity Close to Home
What stayed with me was how often people talked about what happens beyond the racecourse.
A young skier can grow up racing in Tahoe, go to college close to home, and represent Nevada on the national stage.
By the end of the evening, the reason Reno-Tahoe shows up for Nevada Wolf Pack Skiing felt clear. These athletes are part of a story this community has helped write, from Wayne Poulsen’s early team to the young racers now earning their place on the collegiate circuit.
For some in the room, that connection is family history. For others, it’s a former team, a familiar face, or a child who might one day wear Nevada Blue. As Tamara put it, this is our home team.
Somewhere on a Tahoe mountain, a young racer is dreaming of how far they might go. The generosity in that Ballroom helps put a college education and a place on the Wolf Pack within reach.
Show Up for the Next Generation
Come cheer on the Wolf Pack at the Nevada Invitational, February 1st - 4th, 2027, at Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe, and bring a young skier along. Seeing the team race could help them imagine their own future in Nevada Blue. You can help keep that opportunity within reach by making a gift donation to the Nevada Ski Team Boosters HERE.
That’s why we show up: someone helped these athletes get this far, and now we have a chance to help them go further.
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All photographs by Michael Kennedy (unless otherwise noted) / BlueWolfGallery.com
I’m Michael Kennedy, a resident of Olympic Valley, CA (in photo above with Nicola and Boo). I’m a writer and photographer and I love exploring nature and getting lost along the way. We live in a world that demands our attention and I just want to say thank you for your attention. If you enjoyed this post, please share it with a friend. For more photos and stories visit BlueWolfGallery.com.
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